Purism’s Lapdock Kit turns a Linux phone into a Linux notebook computer (UPDATED)
Modern smartphones are basically pocket-sized computers. The key things that set them apart from laptop or desktop computers tend to be their size, shape, and software. But the distinction gets blurry when you’ve got a smartphone that runs the same operating as laptop and desktop computers.
And that’s exactly the case for Purism’s Librem 5, a smartphone designed to run the same PureOS GNU/Linux distribution as the company’s laptop and desktop computers. In fact, you can use the phone like a desktop by connecting an external display, mouse, and keyboard. And now Purism is selling a $339 Lapdock Kit that makes it easy to use the phone as a laptop.
Original:
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Announcing the Lapdock Kit
One of the most unique, and most powerful features of the Librem 5 and Librem 5 USA is that they are running the same convergent PureOS as our Librem 14 and Librem Mini. This means that they are not running applications that have been ported to a mobile platform, instead the same desktop applications...
CNX Software:
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Purism Lapdock kit converts the Librem 5 Linux smartphone into a laptop
Purism has just announced the Lapdock kit to turn their Librem 5 Linux smartphone into a laptop with a 13.3-inch touchscreen display thanks to the NexDock 360 laptop dock.
I was a big believer in mobile desktop convergence around 10 years ago, expected to be soon able to use my phone as a computer or laptop with a dock, and it looked like it might have become a reality when Canonical launched the Ubuntu Edge smartphone crowdfunding campaign in 2013. But it turns out demand was not sufficient, and Canonical eventually ended their convergence efforts focusing on profitable IoT and cloud segments instead. But that does not mean there isn’t a niche market and Purism’s Lapdock kit addresses it to some extent.
Late coverage:
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Upgrade Your Librem 5 To A Laptop: Announcing the Lapdock Kit
The Librem 5 is a privacy-focused Linux smartphone developed by Purism, a company that focuses on creating hardware and software that respects users' privacy and security.
Now in ZDNet:
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This 'lapdock' kit turns an open-source smartphone into a laptop
Purism has unveiled its vision for convergence with the Librem 5 smartphone and an intriguing docking station.